Tampa, Florida -- Lightning fans, are you ready for some hockey?! The public is invited to get a first look at the team during a free training camp session on Thursday, Sept. 12 beginning at 9 a.m.

Thirty-eight players will attend the training camp, along with those currently participating in the Coral Springs Rookie Tournament.

The camp roster includes a number of familiar faces, including superstars Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos, as well as Victor Hedman, Ryan Malone, Teddy Purcell, Matt Carle and more. Key offseason acquisition Valtteri Filppula will make his Bolts debut and goaltender Ben Bishop, acquired at last season's trade deadline, will be attending his first Lightning camp.

The Tampa Bay roster is also highlighted by a number of young players expected to compete for regular season positions, including last season's AHL Most Valuable Player Tyler Johnson, Brett Connolly, Radko Gudas, Mark Barberio, Richard Panik and Ondrej Palat to name a few.

Of those players invited to camp and not participating in Coral Springs, there are 20 forwards, 14 defensemen and four goaltenders. All of those players but three, Even Rankin, Drew Olson and Geoff Walker, spent at least some time in the Lightning system last season. The 62 players will be broken into three practice groups.

Thursday's practice is free and open to the public. The Lightning will then host Fan Fest on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Times Forum beginning at 8 a.m. For more information on the event visit www.TampaBayLightning.com.

In addition, the Lightning will practice in Estero, Florida at Germain Arena from Monday, Sept. 23 through Saturday, Sept. 28. Those practices are also free and open to the public. Tampa Bay will play a preseason game at Germain against the Florida Panthers on Sept. 26. They will also play a preseason game in Orlando at the Amway Center on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Tickets to both games are now on sale.